Daxton - Episode 35
The 5th Compass | Tales of Stonehaven [2,116 words]
Daxton is the first book in the 6-book series, The 5th Compass, which takes place in Stonehaven. Released in serial form, two episodes each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The audio version is coming in the future for paid subscribers only. Visit the table of contents for a list of previously published and upcoming episodes.
Previous Episode « Table of Contents » Next Episode
Wendynn took the three travelers, Daxton, Barton, and Nelle (who still looked like Krieger), clear across the other side of the village. They walked for what seemed like miles to them and Barton was beginning to grow concerned that this pirate was pulling their leg and perhaps they would be attacked by his crew soon. This was all dispelled as quickly as he thought it. They rounded a corner and found themselves back at the market they visited earlier. None of them had considered this would be the place where the blacksmith would be located as they all realized they may have walked right past him in their search for the compass and did not know it.
Wendynn turned his high collar up to shield his face from the growing crowds. They had all talked through the night at the tavern which never closed. When they finally had brokered a deal the sun which had started to set when they entered had long since risen to dawn a brand-new day. Some of the shops and owners they recognized from the day before, including the one where the large pot of steaming hot water was spilled to cause a diversion. Daxton turned his face away as they passed, hoping the owner wouldn’t recognize him, only to find himself looking straight into the eyes of the man he spilled the pot on. He appeared to be alone this time, perhaps his cronies from before did not wish to cross paths with the crew of archery experts, but he did not seem to care. As Daxton put his hand out to grab Nelle, he didn’t have to point in any direction for she had noticed the man straight away. She grabbed Barton who struggled to free his arm as he eyed a nearby food cart but relented when Daxton grabbed his other arm. They moved as far away from the man as possible who kept his distance just in case he should be attacked again.
“Should we get Wendynn?” Daxton asked, as he looked around but could not find where Wendynn has wondered off to.
“Forget him for now. I am sure it would not be difficult to locate the blacksmith he spoke of. For now, we must determine if he is alone or if he’s managed to cobble together a much larger gang who are awaiting us just beyond the market as before. As much as I want to help you Daxton, I fear I do not wish to waste time finding out the answer. I think we must make haste and leave before it is too late.”
Nelle turned to leave and bumped right into the man from the previous day’s adventure. “Wouldn’t be leaving so soon would ya, Krieger? And who are your friends? They aren’t the sort you have run around with in years past.”
He didn’t seem the least bit angry or concerned for his well-being considering what transpired between them and this worried Nelle even more. “We’ve actually remembered an engagement we cannot be late for and it appears we already are.” She licked her finger and held it up, using one eye to show she was testing the wind in relation to the sun’s positioning in the sky. None of them bought her pretense. She held a smile as she backed away with Daxton and Barton in tow.
“Wait, I wouldn’t want you leaving without your package. Unless, our agreement has ended indefinitely?” All three of them stopped in their tracks. They knew not of an agreement, but they all became curious to know what the package was he wished to give Krieger. Throwing caution to the wind they all turned back to face this stranger.
“Why should I wish to receive a package from a man who attempted to kill me?”
The man started to chuckle loudly, making people around him stop and stare, until they saw who it was then quickly went about their business. The others saw this and wondered what sort of a man could command such respect yet allow himself to be bested by a mere visitor? None of this computed and all of it screamed of another ambush. Perhaps he was to be a distraction, make them wait long enough so that his band could position themselves when they were finally allowed to leave.
“You misunderstood the previous night and I wish you had not resorted to such measures. I thought you knew me and our arrangement. I do business with just you and, depending on the size of the packages, the two gentlemen you introduced to me on previous occasions. I did not know who your companions were, I was simply looking for a more guarded introduction. I have heard rumors of a man who tricked other villages into giving him what he wanted and then he’d leave without payment. No one knows of his name nor can describe his likeness. I didn’t believe it could be you, but my men felt I needed to be sure. After the ambush we received from your newfound friends I am beginning to have my doubts about you.”
“You needn’t worry about them. But their friends do not take kindly to any signs of mistrust. I would have that package owed me, but be warned friend, if it is not what we agreed upon I cannot be responsible for what may happen.” Nelle was surprised at her own words as she spoke them, but Krieger’s personality seemed to be coming much more frequent and naturally to her. Daxton and Barton did not think anything was wrong, in fact, they were rather impressed by it all and tried to appear much tougher than they actually were.
The stranger looked around to ensure no one was watching him as he leaned forwards and whispered to them. “You will find me at sunset in our usual spot. I will leave the package and you will leave the payment.”
Daxton grabbed his arm. “No, not the usual spot. After yesterday we do not trust you and what traps you may have set there since then in revenge. You will meet us here when the market has closed and the last of the shops have closed. You will come alone. And if we suspect you have in any way changed this arrangement, I will have no choice but to call upon my friends and they don’t know the meaning of the word mercy.”
Not wanted to feel left out from this exchange of threats, Barton chimed in with a stern, “We mean it.” Everyone looked at him with raised eyebrows as his delivery was not quite as tough as theirs. The stranger, whose name they still did not know although Nelle felt like she carried the answer on the tip of her tongue, nodded his understanding of the new arrangement and left without argument.
“That went much too smoothly for my liking,” Nelle said, breathing a sigh of relief.
“Why were you talking to Azric? He’s not to be trifled with. There are men walking around here with more than just broken bones because of dealings with him that have gone awry,” Wendynn said, sneaking up on them from behind.
“I have had an arrangement with him for a long time now. Good ole Azric and I go way back. He would not dare to double cross me,” Nelle replied, just as shocked at her immediate answer as Daxton and Barton were. Wendynn raised an eyebrow but decided his caution was enough.
“I found the blacksmith. He is in his workshop now. He looks like he is hard at work and might not notice if you were to sneak in there now and take the compass.”
“Now?” Daxton shouted a bit too loudly. When patrons around him turned to see what all the fuss was about, he lowered his voice to a whisper, “wouldn’t attempting to steal something when there are many witnesses about be foolish? We would do better to meet the man first, see if bargaining for it might be an option. I don’t seek to make any more enemies than we already have.”
“I tell you the man has gone mad. If you question him, he will believe you to be spies sent from the king. And, there is one more thing I neglected to tell you.” Wendynn averted his eyes for dramatic effect.
“Well, out with it man, what could you have forgotten to tell us? As if his questionable sanity isn’t enough,” Nelle responded, a bit harsher than usual. Her temper was growing short, Barton felt it was as short as Krieger’s although he could not be completely sure.
“The man knows more than just the art of crafting a blade, he is also a master at wielding it as well.”
Nelle scoffed at his concern. “We are members of the royal army. We are the best swordsmen anyone will ever have the displeasure of tangling with. If that is supposed to be your warning to us, then I think we shall be fine. Or, I mean to say, they will be fine?” She pointed to Daxton and Barton. “I am afraid you boys will have to question this blacksmith without me.”
“But why?” Barton asked, his voice sounding worried. Although she was in Krieger’s body, he preferred to have her around. He looked upon her as a good luck charm and he felt invincible when she was there to watch over him. Besides, he did not trust this pirate, Wendynn, and could not protect her if something were to go wrong and he betray them.
“You two look like innocent boys, with me in tow he’d know right away who we were, or at least who I am. I do not pretend that I look like a member of the royal army because I have been one for much longer than you two combined. You barely wore the uniform for more than a day’s journey before changing into civilian clothing. He would not suspect you.”
Daxton knew she was right. They could not afford this blacksmith, who apparently was fearful of the king and a master swordsman, to suspect them of anything other than casual conversation. They were trained to be members of the royal army, but Daxton only used a sword for a few weeks and never in real combat before, same went for Barton, and they both knew it. They would be no match for him if he were to draw a sword and being a blacksmith, he would not find himself in short supply of them.
“Where is he?” Daxton asked Wendynn who only pointed in a direction that was just over Barton’s shoulder, near where they stood.
They had not noticed it before because, unlike the shops and carts along the market, this shop was located inside a building. Anyone passing by would have to be looking for it and know where it was in order to find it or even see it. The only sign visible from where they stood was a sword made of wood hanging horizontally across the doorway. There was no door on its hinges, but they all peered inside as all they saw was complete darkness.
“Are you sure he’s in there? I cannot see anything,” Barton asked, his voice choking with fear.
Wendynn pushed both boys forward towards the door. “Go on, Krieger and I will wait for you at the other end of the market.”
Barton looked back at Nelle who tried to give him as reassuring a smile as she could muster under the circumstances. He tried to return a smile back but only managed a look of fear instead. “We shall have food waiting for you both when you return. And remember, you just need to confirm the compass is there and if it would even be possible to either purchase or steal it from him. Do not do anything foolish.” On her last statement, she looked at Barton and he blushed slightly before both boys standing side-by-side stood just outside of the Blacksmiths shop.
“Are you sure it was wise to send them in there alone? They do not seem up to the task at hand,” Wendynn asked.
“I have complete confidence in their ability, and you would do well to believe the same. Besides, I chose to stay behind not just for our safety but so that I may question you further. The story you fed us earlier was, colorful, but lacked a lot of important details. I wager it is because you are hiding something either of embarrassment or of danger. I wish to know which it is before they return?”